The Florida Bar issued the following announcement on Aug. 6.
Veteran Tallahassee attorney and lobbyist Sean Pittman is continuing a long tradition of Florida lawyers serving in the upper echelons of the National Bar Association.
The Washington, D.C.-based organization of predominantly Black lawyers and judges announced last week at its Annual Convention that its Board of Governors had unanimously selected Pittman to serve as general counsel.
“The state of Florida, and the lawyers of Florida have been key to the history and success of the National Bar Association, so it’s an extension of their service,” Pittman said. “I’m honored to be selected and carry on that tradition.”
Tracing its roots to 1925, the NBA and its 66,000 members are dedicated to being “a strong voice for the rights of Black people, marginalized communities and underserved populations,” according to a statement.
The founder and managing partner of the Pittman Law Group, Pittman said his selection couldn’t have come at a more auspicious time.
“I am excited to play a larger role with the NBA as the existence and importance of the organization is exacerbated by COVID-19, healthcare and wealth disparities, police brutality, voter suppression and the impact these issues have on Black people and our communities in America.”
In addition to serving on a long list of charitable and civic organizations, Pittman is a Capitol fixture and co-host of the weekend Tallahassee TV talk show, “Usual Suspects.” He was selected last year to serve on the Big Ten Athletic Conference Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Coalition that supports student athletes in the fight against racism.
Mississippi attorney and newly installed NBA President Carlos Moore said he was proud to welcome Pittman to the leadership team.
“When I selected attorney Pittman as my nominee, I considered his stellar reputation, legal acumen, business savvy, leadership experience, and distinguished educational pedigree as essential qualities needed in the general counsel role.”
A Riviera Beach native, Pittman earned an undergraduate degree in political science from Florida State University in 1990 before going on to earn his JD from the FSU College of Law in 1994. In 2010, Pittman donated $100,000 to his alma mater to establish the “Sean Pittman Scholarship” for minority students.
Pittman’s selection as NBA general counsel comes as his firm celebrates its 20th anniversary. Pittman Law is marking the occasion with the launch of a new Orlando office, to be headed by Jasmyne Henderson, Pittman said.
“We’re still growing as a firm, not only in the legal and the governmental relations aspect, but we’re growing geographically,” he said. “We’re excited now about having a strong presence in Central Florida.”
Pittman notes that Tallahassee attorneys Benjamin Crump and Daryl Parks, as well as former state Sen. Arthenia Joyner of Tampa, have served as NBA presidents in recent years.
“I am extremely proud, and I’m proud because the organization does such extremely good work across this country,” he said. “If you mention a Black lawyer that is doing amazing things, you can often find their name in leadership, at some point in time, with the National Bar Association.”
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